Tag Archives: tennis

While her sister, Serena, is playing strong, Venus Williams is on a losing streak. Is it time for her to retire her tennis racquet?

Although Venus Williams played strong in the first two rounds of singles this week in the London Olympics, she lost her third-round match today against Germany`s Angelique Kerber saying, “I made a few errors and she hit a few winners, and things can go quickly in tennis.”

Her loss could be due to the fact that she was diagnosed with Sjogren’s syndrome, an autoimmune disease leaving Williams feeling fatigued. Although she was only diagnosed with the condition in 2011, she wasn`t feeling herself for years but was misdiagnosed.

“For years I felt that I didn’t have enough stamina and then, four years ago, I felt like I was not getting enough air but I was diagnosed with exercise-induced asthma.”

By 2016, Venus will be 36 and many tennis players retire before their late thirties and while some continue playing for years after, a health problem like Sjogren’s syndrome won`t help her performance however; Venus is hopeful saying, “It makes me want to get up and fight harder every day.”

Venus also lost in the opening round of Wimbledon only about a month ago and although loosing is always a part of the game, Williams has not had a first round loss since her first time at the legendary tournament. She also suffered a second round loss at the French Open.

Could this be her body`s way of telling her it`s time to settle down? I admire both of the Williams sisters talent and what makes them even more admirable is that both have suffered health problems and have continued to compete in the game; Serena even took home the title in this year`s Wimbledon. Although the losing streak might signal that retirement is near for Venus, it is hard for me to feel sorry for either of the tennis star sisters.

Player John McEnroe publically stated that both of the sisters have a bad attitude saying, “Enough is enough… Would it kill them to say hello to people in the locker room?”

“What they have achieved is great, but they have no respect for anyone in the game,” and McEnroe is not the only one who feels that the sisters do not deserve the status they have in women`s tennis.

I`d have to say I agree with McEnroe. They both have amazing talent but their arrogant attitude makes both of them hard to root for. I guess in cheering for the USA in this year`s Olympics I am somewhat supporting the sisters but beyond that, I won`t be rooting for either in tournaments to come.

You will typically see Rafael Nadal looking good on the tennis court dressed in his Nike clothes and shoes with one of his Babolat tennis bags hanging on his shoulder; however, Rafael Nadal not only looks good during his matches with his aggressive style, but off the court as well.

When Rafael Nadal was younger he was actually a very promising soccer player. He was trained by one of his uncles until another uncle, Toni Nadal, a former tennis pro, recognized his skill as a tennis player. Not wanting his academic career to suffer, Rafael`s father made him choose between the two sports; the choice for Nadal was obvious.

In addition to being blessed with tremendous athletic ability, Nadal is blessed with the face and the body of a model. In2011, “Rafa” replaced Cristiano Ronaldo as the new face of Armani Underwear and Jeans; the first tennis player ever endorsed by the brand who called Nadal “… ideal as he represents a healthy and positive model for youngsters.”

Even as a dancing Claymation figure, Nadal keeps his sexy appeal! As a global ambassador for Kia Motors, Nadal appeared in a comedic Kia commercial as himself but in clay form in a tournament against what appeared to be an alien.

What was most shocking to me was Nadal`s appearance is a music video. Shakira, a popular Colombian singer-songwriter, chose Rafael Nadal to appear as her love interest in the video for her song “Gypsy.” Shakira said that she chose the tennis pro because she felt as though he was someone she had a connection with. “I thought that maybe I needed someone I could in some way identify with. And Rafael Nadal is a person who has been totally committed to his career since he was very young. Since he was 17, I believe.”

As you can see, Rafael Nadal or “the king of clay” as he is sometimes called, is more than just a tennis player. We typically see him in his usual attire with his racquet, headband, Nike clothes and his signature Babolat tennis bag, but the soccer player turned tennis pro has taken his natural athletic ability and striking good looks to become a global sensation.

Just as tennis ball machines or a rebound nets, tennis backboards make great partners when humans partners are unavailable.

When looking to purchase a tennis backboard it is important to remember that not all backboards are created equal in the sense that different manufactures use different materials and technology to design them.

Tennis backboards are typically made out of fiberglass, UV treated plastics, polyurethane, wood, brick and even foam.

Wood and brick tennis backboards typically wear faster than other materials soto get the most out of your money, it is wise to invest in a backboard that is made to last with more durable materials.

For those who want make the best investment and buy long-lasting, durable tennis backboards, manufactures like Bakko Backboards, Rally Master and Court Master offer some great options whether it is for a private home court or a busy tennis club.

Tennis backboards come in different styles like flat and curved; each has advantages but it really just depends on personal preference.

Traditional tennis backboards are flat and meant to protect walls like a garage from damage as they aren’t meant to be used as tennis equipment. Flat backboards are typically easier to install and are perfect for entertaining the kids, easy warm-ups before a match or exercise drills.

Curved tennis backboards are more advantageous for practice because they can better simulate playing in a real match. The curved backboards return the ball similar to how an opponent would; if you hit low, the ball will return high, hitting the ball high will give you a low return.

With busy schedules it is not always easy to find a practice partner. Tennis backboards can make great practice partners and are especially convenient if they are installed right in your backyard.

No matter what you are looking for, be it small, big, curved or flat, manufacturers like Bakko, Rally Master and Court Master offer a variety of tennis backboards that will surely meet your needs.

2011 was a busy year for Edwards Sports tennis equipment and it looks like 2012 will be just as eventful for the UK based company who produces equipment for many different sports. In 2011 the sports equipment manufacturer supplied Edwards tennis nets and other court accessories to major tennis events including the Doha Asian Games, the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals and the legendary Wimbledon.

In 2012 the company plans to supply custom canvas screens for theLondon 2012 Olympic Games as well as Edwards tennis nets, posts, umpire chairs and other accessories.

The company is known for its quality products, so much so that their 35,000 sq. ft. factory, located in Bridport, was featured on UK`s, “The One Show.” The episode focused mostly around Edwards tennis nets due to the town`s rope and net heritage.

“The One Show” mentioned that Edwards nets were used in the 1966 World Cup Final but in the 125 years that the company has been in business, their equipment has seen many tournaments for a variety of sports including football, cricket, badminton, basketball and many more.

The most legendary tennis tournaments of them all, Wimbledon, uses Edwards tennis nets and according to the company website, “All our products are made to the appropriate British and European standards…”

Edwards tennis nets come with one of their three headbands; vinyl coated, standard polyester and premium polyester. All headbands are built with premium, top-quality materials.

In doing my research, I also realized that Edwards tennis nets can even be customized to any color and size. The company will even add a label, name, logo, or all three!

Edwards tennis nets as well their other sports equipment products have served not only the tennis community but the sports world as a whole. With top quality materials and a love of athletics, the Edwards Sports Products company has been committed to producing premium sports equipment for over 125 years.

When I was younger, my brother and I would play handball against the garage door after school… my mother hated it! The constant sounds of balls slamming against the old wooden garage would drive anyone crazy. Just like my mother, James Stewart was frustrated by the relentless sounds of tennis balls pounding against the garage door. Rather than reprimanding his children for having fun or taking the game away completely, he came up with a solution; Bakko Backboards.

James Stewart invented Bakko Backboards in the 70`s and in the last three decades the company has only grown in experience.

According the company website, “…Bakko has continued to utilize innovative ideas to expand Bakko Backboards offering many options for the tennis enthusiast, while remaining a small, quality-conscious, family-owned business.”

Not only do Bakko Backboards reduce noise but hitting balls against garages or any other wall over a period of time can cause damage that requires costly repairs, thus backboards save money in the long run by eliminating the need for these expensive maintenances.

In order to meet the needs of their customers, the company offers Bakko Backboards in many different shapes, sizes and colors and can even be customized if needed. Not only that but the company provides a line of rebound nets that can fit into smaller areas.

Bakko Backboards are offered in a fiberglass series that ship in panels for easy assembly. The company is so committed to quality that more than 20 steps go into the building of each panel.

The pre-fabricated panels of Bakko Backboards are designed to allow unlimited size and/or placement. When interlocked they create a seamless wall… just as good as a garage!

It is said that the greatest ideas are inspired by necessity and that is definitely true with Bakko Backboards. One father`s frustration turned into a business that has served the tennis community over generations with high quality materials and exceptional service.

There is nothing more rewarding than doing something you love and getting paid for it. If you love tennis, know everything about the game and enjoy teaching, you might want to consider becoming a tennis coach! There are certain things you need to be successful in this career, for instance, you need to be certified and you need the right tools like a tennis ball hopper and a tennis ball machine.

First off, you need to know every aspect of the game and be able to identify the strengths and weaknesses of your students. Secondly, you need to know how to teach and the teaching methods that work best for you. A great start to this would be assisting a pro tennis coach and getting some experience under your belt.

You also need to get certified and the United States has two professional tennis organizations. It is wise to belong to both of these organizations so you can be current will all news and information relating to the tennis industry. Being a part of these organizations also helps you gain valuable contacts that you may not have access to otherwise.

It all depends on where you coach but one of the most important tools for a tennis coach is a ball hopper. You sure to find a tennis ball hopper within your budget but a great option for an instructor are the HOAG Teach `n` Travel Cart with Lid.

The HOAG Teach `n` Travel ball hopper is ideal for traveling tennis coaches. There is no assembly needed and it easily transported because it has collapsible button-locking legs. Racquets can also be locked inside the cart for added protection.

Becoming a tennis instructor requires a learning process but can be well worth the time. Having a career doing something you love is priceless! If you don`t know what you want to do for a profession or your looking for a career change, consider becoming a tennis coach! Getting the materials like a tennis ball hopper, racquet and balls is the easy part, it’s learning how to teach that may seem challenging but it`s worth it!

Tennis pros and sisters, Venus and Serena Williams, have had their share of health issues. After an 8 month recovery stint, to nurse a foot injury, the younger sister, Serena, ended up in the hospital due to a blot clot in her lungs. In the hospital, Serena was rushed into surgery for a hematoma.

Since then, older sister, Venus, was diagnosed with an autoimmune disease known as Sjogren`s Syndrome, with the most common symptoms being dry eyes and a dry mouth. Those complications seem minor but Sjogren`s can also cause joint pain, swelling, numbness and fatigue.

Experienceing these symptoms would be difficult for any person, especially a professional athlete. Because of these symptoms, Venus had no choice but to drop out of the U.S. Open. In an interview on Good Morning America, Williams discussed her health problems, “I had swelling and numbness and fatigue, which was really debilitating. I just didn’t have any energy,” Williams said. “And it’s not that you don’t have energy; you just feel beat up.”

Although getting diagnosed with such a serious disease is difficult, Serena is hopeful now that she has an explanation for feeling the way she did. “I think I’ve had issues with Sjogren’s for a while. It just wasn’t diagnosed… The good news for me is now I know what’s happening.”

Sjogren`s Syndrom can be managed with treatment, but the tennis star is also helping herself by changing her diet, including less meat and much more vegetables. With the new and improved lifestyle, Serena says, “My goal next year is to play a full schedule. It will take some work to get there, but I’m no stranger to hard work.”